Optimal sealability base for a gas management valve

Abstract

A novel spatial arrangement of valve ports and hold-down bolt holes in the body of an exhaust gas recirculation valve, wherein the centers of the ports are between and aligned with the centers of the bolt holes, thereby producing maximum sealing force around the ports against the surface to which the valve is bolted, such as the exhaust and intake manifolds of an internal combustion engine.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A valve body for a pintle-type valve wherein the operational axis of the valve is contained in a plane containing the maximum attachment force normal to the attachment surface of said valve when said valve is attached on said attachment surface to a substrate.  
     
     
         2 . A valve body in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said valve body is provided with at least two bores for receiving fasteners for attaching said valve body to said substrate, axes of said bores being disposed in said plane.  
     
     
         3 . A valve body in accordance with    claim 2    wherein inlet and outlet ports thereof are disposed symmetrically about said plane.  
     
     
         4 . A valve body in accordance with    claim 3    wherein said inlet and outlet ports are disposed between said bores.  
     
     
         5 . A pintle-type valve assembly, comprising: 
 a) a valve body wherein the operational axis of the valve is contained in a plane containing the maximum attachment force normal to the attachment surface of said valve when said valve is attached on said attachment surface to a substrate; and    b) an actuator attached to said valve body for actuating said valve.    
     
     
         6 . An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, comprising: 
 a) a valve body wherein the operational axis of the valve is contained in a plane containing the maximum attachment force normal to the attachment surface of said valve when said valve is attached on said attachment surface to a substrate; and    b) an actuator attached to said valve body for actuating said valve.    
     
     
         7 . An internal combustion engine, comprising an exhaust gas recirculation valve having a valve body wherein the operational axis of the valve is contained in a plane containing the maximum attachment force normal to the attachment surface of said valve when said valve is attached on said attachment surface to a substrate.